(Tucson, AZ) Fernando Galvan
Homecoming is always a fun time during the season, and it is even more exciting when your team is on a winning streak and looks to be a contender for the playoffs.
This week’s 520 Sports Talk Spotlight Game of the Week pits the Sunnyside Blue Devils (3-1) against the Sahuaro Cougars (4-1) in a battle between two teams looking to keep their successful seasons going.
Sunnyside and Sahuaro are on a three game win streaks.
Cougar’s Head Coach Scott Mckee is well aware of the obstacles that can accompany an event like homecoming.
“It’s good for the school and helps give people reasons to come back to Sahuaro high school. It also give the kids in the building a reason to be excited. For us, our job is the football game.” Mckee added, “Sometimes we can lose track of that. We can be undefeated on the assembly and lose the football game. We would rather do it the other way around. Let’s focus on balloons and streamers at a later time.”
The Cougars are riding high coming off their 47-0 win over Cholla last week, but Mckee and his staff are well aware of the challenge that Sunnyside will present Friday night.
“Sunnyside is really good and very well coached. Roy is outstanding and has put together one of the best staffs in town. So we know we have to come out and play ball because we have a good Sunnyside team headed our way,” Mckee said.
Sunnyside Head Coach Roy Lopez is also aware of what his team will be facing when they walk into Sahuaro’s field.
“They are a very talented and very well coached football team. They have some speed and have beaten some good football teams. We are excited to play them Friday night,“ Lopez.
Sunnyside rolls in to Friday night with some momentum after their 21-14 win over Pueblo last week. The Blue Devils started slow but were able to turn things around. Coach Lopez believes this week will be much different.
“Coming off of a week off you have to start fast and we didn’t do that last week. We were just trying to find our legs and set a foundation. Pueblo did a good job of hitting us in the mouth and putting us on our heels,” Lopez said.
Even with the slow start Lopez was happy with what he saw from his team and believes it’ssomething they can use and build on moving forward.
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“We are an emotional team and when we play with emotion is going to be fun. This is an emotional game. We want to play with enthusiasm, play for each other, and have some fun. If we can play disciplined and consistent football we will be ok,” Lopez commented.
Sahuaro finished the 2017 season with a 4-6 record. This is season has been going well for the Cougars but that does not mean that the coaches or their players are taking it easy because of their newfound success.
“You have to taste success and you have to have success in order to have a plan to handle it. Our guys are doing that. They know what the routine is, the guys coaching them are outstanding. They are all in and our guys like winning. They like the process and it all starts with practice,” Mckee said.
This is a non-conference game since Sunnyside is a 5A school and Sahuaro is a 4A. Some might believe that this could be an advantage for the Blue Devils, but coach Mckee does not see it that way.
“We were a five a school for the last four years so we are ready for it but we know what they possess. They have got real defensive linemen, good linebackers, and very well coached. They are not going to beat themselves, so we have to do our thing in order to make it happen,” Mckeesaid.
Amir Hunter-Huggins
Heading into the game expect Abrien Painter, Amir Hunter-Huggins, Trayvion White-Austin, and twin brothers Cameron and Christopher Williams to play key roles for Sahuaro.
Sunnyside will be leaning on Martin Arvizu, Jonathon Gomez, Johnathon Lopez, and and last week’s Spotlight Player of the Game Julio Vasquez to bring the win home for the Blue Devils.
Johnathon Lopez
Now that practice is over and the game is only hours away coach Mckee believes that fans will be treated to a fun game and will get the chance to see what makes his team special.
“They are well coached and like to play with each other and for each other. That’s what makes this group special, the chemistry. Everybody works hard and they are all willing to work for each other which make it really special,” Mckee said.
The game is scheduled for a 7:00 p.m. start this Friday at Sahuaro High School.
